Careers with the RAIB

The RAIB values its employees and rewards their performance. We are committed to making a positive contribution to safety on the railways, and value staff who take pride in their work and inspire others around them.

The RAIB has a complement of 52 staff. They are:

The Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents

The Deputy Chief Inspector

Five teams of Inspectors, each led by a Principal Inspector

The RAIB recruits its Inspectors externally, but in accordance with civil service guidelines.  We look for skills that can help in investigation, including forensics and human factors, and in railway disciplines such as operations, traction and rolling stock, signalling and civil engineering.  We expect Inspectors to be qualified to degree or chartered level, or equivalent, and to be able to show considerable relevant experience in at least one of the disciplines that the RAIB seeks.  We will consider the overall balance of skills in the branch when recruiting.

When we recruit Inspectors we will advertise in the national and specialist press, and also use our website www.raib.gov.uk. If you subscribe to alerts from our website, you will receive an email when we commence a recruitment exercise. To subscribe to this free alert service, please click here.

Inspectors are expected to live within one hour’s travelling of either Derby or Woking (our two Operational Centres).  We do offer help in relocation if this is necessary. There is extensive training on appointment.

Inspectors have to be fit to work on an operational railway, and must therefore pass the Personal Track Safety medical examination.

Head of Administration supported by Finance, Publications and Office Management / Operational Support teams.

The RAIB is part of the Department for Transport, (DfT) and administrative staff are recruited in accordance with civil service guidelines. Depending on the nature of the vacant position, advertisements may be placed in local media.